Nellie S. Blanco

Nellie Santana Blanco passed away on April 6, 2019, in La Habra, California, at the age of 85. Viewing will take place from 10-11am on Saturday April 20, 2019, at White Emerson Mortuary, 13304 Philadelphia St., in Whittier, California. A Catholic Prayer Service will immediately follow at 11am with subsequent interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Rosemead, California.

Nellie was born on December 24, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, to Cisto and Josefina (Aguirre) Santana. She grew up in Los Angeles County, attending Vernon Elementary School and Layfayette Junior High School in LA. For her entire life, Nellie remained in Southern California. Besides Los Angeles, she resided in Montebello, Pico Rivera, and finally, La Habra, California.

A devoted mother, Nellie was a single parent for many years and raised two daughters, Carol and Gina. She loved her daughters and their families very much and enjoyed spending time with them. Nellie was blessed in her later years to meet and fall in love with Frank Ashford. They were married on November 24, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. Nellie and Frank enjoyed a few good years together before Franks untimely death on September 1, 2013.

Professionally, Nellie worked for Sears Roebuck for most of her adult life. She was with them for decades before her retirement. In her personal time, Nellie enjoyed doing puzzles, watching TV game shows, listening and dancing to her favorite music, cooking and baking. Her favorite activity, however, was caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Nellie was a devout Catholic throughout her life, and she was a long-time parishioner of St. Hillarys Church in Pico Rivera.

Nellie is survived by her sister, Margaret Lugo; daughters, Carol Ramos and Gina Blanco; 10 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.